In a pivotal NHL matchup, the Detroit Red Wings secured a significant victory over the New York Islanders, winning 6-3. This game was crucial for playoff positioning, with the Islanders aiming to close the gap on the second wild-card spot. Dylan Larkin, returning after an eight-game absence, scored twice, including an empty-net goal, to help seal the win. Andrew Copp also found the back of the net twice, breaking a 20-game goal drought. Christian Fischer contributed with a goal and two assists, highlighted by a breakaway goal, while James Reimer made 33 saves. The win strengthens the Red Wings' hold on a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, putting them three points ahead of the Capitals and five points clear of the Islanders, who now face a challenging path to the playoffs after their sixth consecutive loss.
Dylan Larkin had two goals after an eight-game absence, Andrew Copp also scored twice to break a 20-game drought and the Red Wings beat the slumping #Isles on Thursday night. https://t.co/PqvXeJtWdS
Larkin scores twice in return, Red Wings hand Islanders 6th straight loss ⤵️ https://t.co/mRF8esabUK
Islanders suffer sixth-straight loss to Red Wings as playoff hopes damaged even further https://t.co/oY7PuZrBM5 https://t.co/7rjcL2fjUH
Desperate #Isles fall to Red Wings for sixth straight loss | @AGrossNewsday https://t.co/r4fV63Jbmc
#Isles can't win the critical game vs. second wild-card #LGRW, falling 6-3 to move five points back with 14 games to go. They've counteracted their six-game winning streak with a six-game losing streak @TheHockeyNews https://t.co/Lx71UufnTh
Final: #RedWings 6, Islanders 3. Larkin two goals in return. Copp also two goals. Fischer goal, two assists. Reimer 33 saves. Wings up three on Capitals (2 games in hand) and five on NYI (one game in hand).
6-3 final. Isles five points back of Wings for second wild card spot.
Red Wings beat Islanders, 6-3, strengthen hold on wild-card spot in Eastern Conference.
Larkin gets his second of the night on an empty netter. Octopus on the ice for that one. 6-3 Red Wings
Empty net goal with 3:45 to play, Wings up 6-3 on Islanders. Larkin with his second goal of the game, shot from center ice.
Larkin scores into empty net. 6-3 #RedWings with 3:45 left.
Put the fork in 4-1 Wings at 5:12 of the third. Copp gets to a loose puck near the crease and puts it through.
Copp gets his second of the night. 4-1 Red Wings, and I think Fischer may just get his third point of the night too. Also the 2nd goal of the night started by an Edvinsson play
Andrew Copp went 20 games without a goal. He's got 2 tonight, and his line has its third of the game. Wings up 4-1 on the Islanders with 14:48 to go.
Copp again, early 3p, Wings up 4-1 on Isles.
4-1 #RedWings with 14:48 left as Copp scores his second of the game.
Larkin left open in the slot and it's 3-1 Wings
Copp to the crease and it's 2-1 Wings at 16:00 of the second
Wings retake lead on goal from Copp off Fischer rebound, 4 minutes to play 2p, 2-1.
Red Wings re-take the lead. It’s Andrew Copp on a rebound from Fischer. Rasmussen-Copp-Fischer line once again coming up big for Detroit. 2-1 late 2nd period
Copp to the crease and it's 2-1 Wings at 16:00 of the secopnd
Copp scores. 2-1 #RedWings
Christian Fischer on a breakaway makes it 1-0 Wings over NYI, near midpoint of 2p.
Horvat shot wide, puck rims around and out and Fischer sprung for a breakaway, 1-0 Wings at 11:15 of the second
Christian Fischer opens the scoring for the Red Wings. They lead the Islanders 1-0 midway through the 2nd
Fischer scores on a breakaway. 1-0 #RedWings
#Isles could wake up tomorrow morning just one point out of the second wild-card spot with a regulation win over #LGRW. Or they could wake up five points back. Massive game in DET tonight @TheHockeyNews @matthewpage24 https://t.co/qEEUgErci6
Buzz: Larkin could return for Red Wings against Islanders ⤵️https://t.co/lUypz4SuEF